(OT Webdesk)In a deeply disturbing incident from Bagdera village in Odisha’s Bolangir district, a couple allegedly sold their newborn daughter for Rs 20,000 due to extreme poverty.
The child, born on July 1, 2025, was reportedly handed over to a couple from Paikamal block.
The accused, Nila Rana and his second wife Kanak Rana, claim the act was driven by desperation to ensure the baby’s care, not a sale. However, locals insist it was a case of child trafficking.
Nila had previously abandoned his first wife and three daughters, while Kanak had a daughter from a prior relationship.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of child trafficking in the region, with similar cases reported in Titilagarh, Bolangir town, and Lathor.
Activists allege the existence of an organised racket that buys newborns from impoverished families and sells them for lakhs in other states.
Police have launched a probe into the Bagdera case, as calls grow louder for systemic intervention and child protection reforms.
